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What is a Population Average?

A population average merges together several individual specimens to form a consensus of the group being studied. A population average is useful for computing and understanding what “normal” means for a specific group. For example, what is the normal 3D shape of crania, mandible, condyle, femoral head, tibial plateau, etc.

The DCM file extension is used for DICOM which stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. This is the common file format used to store medical imaging data when a patient undergoes a CT, MRI, PET, UltraSound, and many other types of medical scans.

Unfortunately, the IDAV Landmark Editor software is no longer maintained by UC Davis and the software download is no longer available. While the Landmark Editor has been used by thousands of researchers around the world at all the leading research institutions and museums, your best option for replacement is Stratovan Checkpoint.

Checkpoint can help you convert those large micro CT scans into files that are more manageable. The following explains how to load a stack of TIF image files from a micro CT scanner and convert them into a NifTi (.nii) file type which Checkpoint can load.

The following steps are used to create a population average from a set of input specimen based on 3D volumetric data. In the example below,3D anatomic landmark points placed on three input specimen guide the process to create a population average.

Geometric morphometrics provides invaluable information in the areas of physical anthropology and medical research. By comparing differences in 3D anatomic structures it can help quantify an evolutionary feature or relationship, determine an organisms ontogeny or help improve diagnostics and surgical planning among many other applications.

What is RECIST?

RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) is a set of guidelines for clinicians to follow to determine cancer treatment effectiveness. Cancer treatment is complicated, multi-pronged, lasts for years, and significantly impacts the lives of the cancer patient and their family and friends.

Converting DICOM to NIFTI with Checkpoint is a short and simple process. Load a DICOM volume, then go to the “Export” tab. Under the volume section, select the NIFTI file format from the list provided in “Export format”. The “Using these units” attaches new units (i.e.

What is isosurfacing?

Isosurfacing is a visualization technique for extracting a surface from 3D volumetric data, such as a CT or MRI scan. The technique, first developed by researchers at GE called Marching Cubes, essentially started the 3D medical visualization industry.

What is joint congruence?

Joint congruence is the measurement of two opposing joint surfaces as they relate to one another considering the 3D shape contour of each bone at their interface. For example, relating the femoral condyle to the tibial plateau or the temperomandibular condyle to the fossa.

The procrustes superimposition method calculates the procrustes average specimen, which removes scale from the specimens. The following covers the options available in Checkpoint’s Shape Analysis tab. Under “Analysis method”, select “Generalized Procrustes Analysis”.

Image analysis is hard. To extract meaningful information to meet your analysis goals you often need to work with large, complex, multidimensional and multivariate data. I have found that the following methodology can be used to effectively design software to successfully analyze image data.

DICOM stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine. DICOM was created as a means for sharing patient data between various devices within a hospital environment. A common format is necessary to facilitate communication between devices produced by different manufacturers.

Stratovan has been invited to give a short presentation on our latest progress at this years Med Tech Showcase in Sacramento, CA. SARTA is highlighting Stratovan because of our growth over recent years and our anticipated growth in the near future due to increasing work with the government.